扁权力下放 马英九:完全不符宪法精神

马英九说：「陈总统他愿意自清，愿意革新，当然不是坏事，但是权力下放就非常的奇怪，因为总统的权力，在宪法上都是正面表列，规定的很清楚，他没有的权 力，他无从下放，他应该有的权力，他也不能下放，所以这样的说法，我觉得是完全不符合宪法的精神。

help ourselves to help our children

12 steps you can take to curb global warming

1. Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. One CFLB would save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
2. Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation.
3. Recycle household waste. You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
4. Keep the tires on your car properly inflated to conserve gas consumption.
5. Use less hot water by installing a low-flow showerhead.
6. Adjust thermostats two degrees lower in winter and two higher in summer. This can save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
7. Unplug TVs, DVDs, stereos, cell phone chargers and computers when you're not using them. These appliances draw energy even when they are not in use.
8. Regularly clean or replace filters in air conditioners and furnaces.
9. Turn on dishwashers only when they are full.
10. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible.
11. Buy organic foods as much as possible and support local farm markets.
12. Keep your car properly tuned.

all work no play make jack a dull boy

玩乐是儿童的天性，但有些儿童偏偏不会玩，甚至得上诊所接受治疗，学习如何玩耍。

　　竹脚儿童发育中心今年2月展开儿童学玩(learn-to-play)计划后，每星期有15个儿童到中心接受学玩治疗。

　　职能治疗师胡嘉玲接受本报访问时透露，有的孩子会整天呆若木鸡地坐着，什么都不做。有的则只会玩电玩，当治疗师递上一个普通玩具，小孩就变得不知所措，无法发挥想像力去玩。

　　她说：“儿童不会玩耍，往往显示他们身心发育有问题。不同年龄有不同的玩耍能力指标，例如1、2岁的孩子必须懂得抛球、玩茶匙、搭方块、模仿听电话，较大的孩子则可以模仿较复杂的日常生活活动、发挥想像力，也会和其他人一起玩，甚至遵循一些简单的游戏规则。”

　　她指出，许多家长都不了解儿童玩耍的重要性，他们往往是在发现孩子不会讲话，或是不会走路，或是接到托儿所投诉孩子经常不合群，才前去求医。

　　她说：“许多家长都不知道自己孩子玩耍时是否达到这些指标，因为他们都趁孩子玩耍时，忙着做自己的事。现代家长也经常让孩子长时间看电视、玩电子游戏，或报读许许多多的课程，导致孩子们缺乏创意玩乐的自由时间。”

　　胡嘉玲指出，孩子不会玩耍并不完全是家长的错，这些孩子往往天生就发育得较慢，但是如果家长多加留意，从旁督促和指导，是可以帮助孩子改善许多的。

　　她认为，玩乐对儿童成长益处很多，可以促进他们的身心健康、创意、自信心、同情心、想像力、社交能力、平衡感、时间空间观念、手指灵活度、逻辑思维、选择与判断能力、语言表达能力等等。

　　她说：“如果儿童不懂得玩耍，无法通过玩耍把自己的思维搬演出来，要用文字来表达就更难了。研究显示，很会玩的孩子，讲故事的能力会比一般孩子强，也比较能够有条理地叙述自己在学校的经历，不会讲得东一块西一块。”

可能是自闭症

　　此外，不会玩也可能是自闭症的征兆之一。到竹脚儿童发育中心接受玩乐治疗的儿童当中，有三分之二在接受进一步检查时，被诊断为自闭儿。

　　柯佳慧在小女儿15个月大的时候，发现她完全不会说话，叫她名字无反应，经过医生诊断，发现她患有自闭症。

　　她说：“我的大女儿很正常，所以我没想到小女儿会有自闭症。她的情况不是很严重，因此不会很明显。幸好可以及早发现，通过治疗，改善她的行为。

　　柯佳慧透露，小女儿接受治疗后，平衡度变得较好，手指更灵活，想像力、集中力提高，语言表达能力也改善了，也能够和家人一起玩了，不再完全处在自己的世界。

　　她说：“虽然和其他同龄孩子相比，她还是发育得较慢，但是我比较懂得如何教导她，并帮助她发挥长处。例如，她虽然不太说话，对图像却较敏感，因此我就事先准备好各种图像，如不同食物的照片，她就可以把图像拿来，表示这是她要吃这样东西。”

从玩耍看心智

　　职能治疗师会让这些小病人在她面前玩乐，并仔细观察他们的言行举止，从中了解他们是否符合那个年纪的发育指标。

　　胡嘉玲举例说，一个4岁的儿童在玩耍时，必须能够达到的6大指标包括：

　　＊一物多用：可以把一支笔想像成几种东西然后玩耍，例如把笔当作汤匙或枪或飞机。

　　＊行动次序：模仿日常生活中的先后次序，如为娃娃冲凉，得先脱衣、然后才冲凉，然后再穿衣。

　　＊主题：玩耍时，自设并贯彻同一个的主题，例如购物或到动物园或参加生日会

　　＊社交：可以和他人一起玩，争玩具也懂得如何与对方“谈判”。

　　＊角色扮演：例如扮演妈妈、老师或医生

　　＊拟人化：把娃娃或小熊或机器人拟人化，尝试从对方立场思考，例如了解娃娃也会伤心，或与小熊分享玩具。

　　职能治疗师会观察小病人在哪方面较弱，为他量身设计一系列玩耍项目，并教导家长如何在家中鼓励小病人玩耍。病情较严重的需每星期得到竹脚儿童发育中心，在物理治疗师的指导下，来玩上45分钟。

　　胡嘉玲透露：“有的家长认为只是来玩很浪费时间，就不来了。也有家长要求我们教导孩子学认字、写字。当遇到家长对这项学玩治疗不认真，我们也没办法。”

　　不过，也有一些家长，即使孩子已经康复，也仍然不放心，希望继续带孩子来复诊。

　　胡嘉玲说：“其实最好的玩耍环境是在家中。家长可以帮助孩子放轻松，不要担心孩子会 把地方弄脏或弄乱。玩具的玩法可以多变化，家长可以让孩子发挥创意来玩，不必拘谨于指定玩法。玩具不用多，日常的一些杂物，如布料、木棍、盒子、罐子等， 只要确保干净和安全，都可以是很好的玩具。”

　　学玩治疗每次收费64元，获得综合诊所医生推荐信的病人可获得津贴，收费31元。竹脚儿童发育中心设于欧南园保健促进局大厦2楼，电话是63276916。

家长！让孩子玩吧

　　访问时，听到一个陪伴孙女接受学玩治疗的祖母，正在骂跳来跳去玩乐的孙女：“现在玩就够了，回家不要再玩了。”

　　许多现代儿童，的确缺乏玩乐的设施、环境和机会。原本应该活泼蹦蹦跳眺的孩子，在成人施加的压力下，必须循规蹈矩，寸步不敢偏离。

　　家长工作忙碌，没时间陪孩子玩耍，为了补偿孩子，家长反而买一大堆的电子游戏机等商业化的玩具。这其实双重剥夺了小孩玩乐的时间。

　　许多玩具都有指定玩法，而且零件配备周详，玩起来缺乏想像空间。

　　因此，现代儿童玩具固然多，但往往却导致他们较少机会发挥创意，使他们变得更“不会玩”。

　　也有一些家长认为玩乐很浪费时间，宁愿孩子用空闲时间去上补习班、心算班等，把孩子的时间表挤得满满的。

家长心态：读书比玩重要

　　许多家长的心态是，小孩子会不会玩，有什么重要的，长大会读书就好了。

　　外婆以前喜欢种水梅，经常利用绳子等工具修改它的生长方向，以制造一些造型姿势。

　　她说，这必须趁枝干还很嫩的时候进行，如果等到枝干硬了，就很难改变了。栽培一个人，原理应该也是一样的吧，要教导创意、礼貌、价值观，都得趁年轻。

　　其实，玩耍是门深奥的学问，因为小孩处于知识吸收能力很强的年龄，在玩耍的过程中，方向感、空间时间的掌握、沟通技巧、如何与他人相处、如何解决问题等知识，都在不知不觉中成了孩子的囊中物。

　　缺乏玩耍机会的孩子，也因此缺少掌握这些有用技能的机会。因此，为孩子提供良好的玩乐环境、设备、玩伴，都“并非儿戏”，值得每个家长仔细考量。

　　当然，要陪孩子玩，或要让孩子尽情地玩乐，的确是相当累的一件事。

　　陪1岁多的儿子玩耍时，我不是忙着捡滚到椅子下的球，就是陪他满屋子跑、上下楼梯。玩耍后，还得为他一一收拾玩具，有时他心情好，来“帮我收拾”，这时更有得忙的，因为我们才刚收好，他又一并儿全倒出来玩了。

　　但是，看到他经常突发奇想地，用我完全没想过的方法来玩一些玩具时（例如把玩具杯子拿来当鞋子穿），我不得不佩服他的创意。

　　经常带他到组屋楼下和邻居小朋友玩，不单他的社交能力进步、懂得和小朋友分享玩具，就连我的社交能力也进步了，以前完全不认识的邻居，逐渐熟络起来。

　　玩耍重要吗？社会对于小孩是否会玩耍，大概不会太重视吧，甚至可能越不会玩的孩子，反而被公认为更乖。

　　但是，成人的社会是残酷的，如果不从小就学习玩耍，长大后无法适应社会上的“游戏规则”，必然处处碰钉子或吃亏。

　　所以，家长们，与其不断逼孩子读书，不妨想一想，孩子玩得够吗？

多喝咖啡 少患乳癌

（纽约路透电）在多个国家进行的研究显示，由于BRCA1基因突变而使得患乳癌几率提高的妇女，喝的咖啡越多，患癌几率减低的幅度便越显著。

　　加拿大安大略省多伦多大学的研究组共分析了1690个出现BRCA1或BRCA2基因变异者的咖啡饮用习惯和乳癌几率之间的关系。他们调查的对象是4个国家40个医疗中心的女性病人，研究组分析了她们所填写的关于咖啡饮用习惯的问卷。

　　研究显示，同不喝咖啡的BRCA基因突变者相比，每天喝1至3杯、4至5杯或6杯咖啡以上的BRCA基因突变者患乳癌的几率分别降低10%、25%和69%。

　　研究员把BRCA基因突变者分组加以分析的时候发现，BRCA1基因突变者显然从喝咖啡获得了保护，BRCA2基因突变者则获益不那么显著。

　　研究组指出，咖啡含植物雌激素，这一成份可能起到了保护作用。

　　领导研究小组的多伦多大学研究员纳罗德和他的组员解释道：“植物雌激素之所以能起保护作用可能是因为它的组成与人体本身的雌激素接近，因此能同雌激素受体结合。 June 2006

Qantas worker has legionnaires'

31st may 2006

A QANTAS worker at Sydney airport has contracted legionnaires' disease and her workmates have been warned by the airline to be alert for symptoms of the deadly disease.

"A fleet presentation employee (aircraft cleaner) has been diagnosed with legionnaire's disease," Qantas staff were told yesterday in a one-page memo.

"Qantas medical has contacted New South Wales Public Health who have confirmed the case

每年百万人死于吸烟

Just China alone


millions died of Cigarettes related sickness

Shorter, 'kinder' radiotherapy for breast cancer patients

Cancer Research UK trial found patients got the same protection from 13 larger doses of radiation as the standard treatment of 25 smaller doses

Mental fitness: This is your brain in training

An active prefrontal cortex is a happy prefrontal cortex

aadvantages ooof bbbreast fffeeding for baby

哺乳使母亲体内催产素分泌增加,雌激素分泌水平降低,因而减少了雌激素对子宫的刺激,有利于预防妇科疾病,尤其是妇科肿瘤,如子宫癌、子宫内膜癌、乳腺癌 及子宫肌瘤的发病率。民间有这样一句话形容子宫：不长孩子就长瘤子。妇女不妊娠哺乳使得子宫长期受雌激素的刺激,没有“休整”时间,因而易长肿瘤

An Anti-Cancer Vaccine

vaccine is also 99% effective against the two strains of HPV responsible for 90% of genital warts. HPV is a little known but very common sexually transmitted infection that is the primary cause of cervical cancer in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that some 20 million Americans are currently carriers of HPV, although the vast majority of these infections are with strains that cause no significant problems. Two strains, however, are responsible for most of the cervical cancer in the U.S., affecting over 10,000 women each year and killing more than 3,700 of them.

The approval of the advisory committee is to be commended, but more work remains to be done. The vaccine will now have to be approved by the FDA, which usually follows the recommendations of its advisory committees. After that, the vaccine will also be examined by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which issues recommendations and schedules for the administering of vaccines. Given the prohibitive cost of the vaccine, expected to be several hundred dollars for a three shot series, and the logistical difficulties involved in bringing 10 to 12-year-olds in for multiple doctor visits, it is important that ACIP make recommendations that ensure the vaccine will receive public funding and be readily available. It is not enough to approve this vaccine for the public's use; we must also ensure that those who need it most are able to obtain and afford it.

影响睡眠

专家分析：每天保持正常的睡眠时间是很重要的，一般成年人应该在6－9个小时。比如晚上10－11点睡觉，早上6－7点起床，这样可以使人维持一个较稳定的生物节律，对人体身心都是有益的

　　专家分析：人的睡眠大致分为“非快速眼动睡眠”和“快速眼动睡眠”两个阶段，在前一个阶段中，又可以分为“浅睡眠”和“深睡眠”两个过程，这两 个过程在睡眠中循环多次。人们只有在睡眠中经历了几个“深睡眠”过程后，才能使疲劳得到充分的消除。但是，在汽车上睡觉、打盹、补觉，容易受到各种因素的 干扰，汽车的晃动、光线的刺激、声音的影响、空间的狭窄……都不容易使人进入“深睡眠”状态，而在“浅睡眠”状态下休息，只能使人得到不充分的恢复。我们 经常听到有同事抱怨，车里睡了一觉后，反而觉得腰酸腿疼，疲乏无力。

　　另外，在车上睡觉，还容易导致生病。比如车上小睡后，最容易落枕和感冒。脖子歪向一边睡觉，容易使一侧的脖子肌肉疲劳，所以很容易落枕。还有， 在车上睡觉，车门开关，风扇吹动，一不小心就容易着凉。个别的还能导致面瘫，有些人面瘫短时间内可自然恢复，有些就再也不可逆转了。

　　最后，专家称，白天疲劳的时候小睡一段有助于体能的恢复，但是尽量不要选择在车上睡。

睡眠状态：今天听说8小时睡眠足够，明天听说7小时睡眠长寿，到底多少小时睡眠好，自己也搞不清楚。不过充足的睡眠既美容又养颜，那就睡它个10小时。有时醒来很清醒了，那也先不起呢，原因是还没睡够10小时！

　　专家分析：对于睡眠时间的长短，没有统一的说法。因人而异可以分为长睡眠型（8小时左右）和短睡眠型（6小时左右），其实4－10小时都属于正常范围，主要以第二天醒后精神饱满程度为准。

　　实际上，各种人群对睡眠的要求是不同的。一般而言10－18岁的人群，每天需要8小时的睡眠时间，18－50岁的人群，每天需要7小时的睡眠时 间，50－70岁的人群，每天需要5－6小时。特别对于上了年纪的人，睡眠质量比不上年轻人是自然规律，只要不影响生活，少睡点也无妨。

Avoid sleeping tablets:
睡眠状态：平常很注意睡眠，偶尔有个失眠什么的，就紧张兮兮地找药吃，总觉得偶尔吃一两次药没事，虽然没造成药物依赖，但实际很多时候是多余吃的。

　　专家分析：90％以上的成年人都有过失眠的情况，但这并不意味着就得了失眠症，也不一定非要上医院或进行药物治疗。比如说工作负担过大、疾病原 因、环境原因或情绪因素等，也可能是时差没有倒过来，或受某一事件的影响，除了自己找原因外，还可以上医院让医生帮忙找。很多失眠都可以通过自我调节来解 决。

　　如果在一定要吃药的情况下，也应先去医院做一个简单的心理测定，找到失眠的原因，在医生的指导下用药。像焦虑、抑郁等，如果不解决好这些“心 病”，失眠是肯定看不好的，吃多少安眠药都无济于事。而且要提倡间断服用，也就是一次服药不超过7天，否则很容易对药物产生依赖性。

睡眠状态：晚上一有活动，保证睡觉时兴奋得睡不着。所以，吃完饭就保证安静，连一些正常的低运动量活动也拒绝参与。本来白天就在单位里坐了一天，回家后继续坐着，坐到睡觉前反而睡不着了。

　　专家分析：临睡前的过量运动，会令大脑兴奋，不利于提高睡眠质量。但适量的体育运动，能够促进人的大脑分泌出抑制兴奋的物质，促进深度睡眠，迅速缓解疲劳，并从而进入一个良性循环。特别是脑力工作者，一天下来可能都没什么活动，而晚饭后的轻微活动反而可以有助睡眠。

　　研究发现，临睡前做一些如慢跑之类的轻微运动，可以促进体温升高。当慢跑后身体微微出汗时（一般来讲在20－30分钟为宜），随即停止。这时，体温开始下降。当30－40分钟后睡觉时，人将很容易进入深度睡眠，从而提高睡眠质量

德研究

德国科学家的研究结果表明，爱吃西红柿的人的皮肤皱纹比一般人要少得多。

　　自由基是导致皮肤过早老化和皮肤癌的主要因素。抗氧化剂可以防止自由基对皮肤的破坏，但人体自身产生的抗氧化剂不足以阻止自由基对皮肤的破坏， 需要靠维生素A、C、D、E及胡萝卜素等来补充。而西红柿中含有丰富的抗氧化剂。德国柏林沙里泰医院的研究发现，体内富含抗氧化剂的人看起来更年轻，因为 他们的皱纹比较少。此外，素食者体内的抗氧化剂要比非素食者体内的抗氧化剂多。

　　研究人员提醒人们，大量服用补品或过量摄取抗氧化剂非但于事无补，反而会加快自由基对皮肤的破坏。因此，人们还应少服补品。

tap water 'dangers'

Cancer-causing trace metals in plumbing fittings -- including lead, cadmium, copper and nickel -- have the potential to leach into drinking water and cause long-term health problems, the Ministry of Health has warned.

Every local council nationwide is now required under the Drinking Water Standards for New Zealand 2005 to alert consumers to the potential danger and advise them how to avoid it.

In a public health notice issued by Porirua City Council today, New Zealand's Director-General of Health Karen Poutasi said some plumbing fittings had "the potential to allow minute traces of metals to accumulate in water standing in the fittings for several hours".

"Although the health risk is small, the Ministry of Health recommends that you flush a mugful of water from your drinking-water tap each morning before use to remove any metals that may have dissolved from the plumbing fittings," Dr Poutasi said.

"We are recommending this simple precaution for all households, including those on public and private water supplies."

Earlier this year, Wellington Regional Council, as the reticulated water supplier for the region, took out a public notice in daily newspapers to advise consumers of the issue, and local bodies have also included notices in rates newsletters.

Drinking water assessor Scott Rostron, from the Wellington Regional Public Health Service, said the potential long-term harmful effects from trace metals in plumbing fittings had been known for a number of years.

The new warnings had not arisen from any changes made by councils to the way water was supplied, he said.

Actual exposure would depend on the age and type of the plumbing fittings in individual houses.

US states hit by worst floods in 70 years

*******

Weather is related to sickness

******

16 th May 2006

BOSTON - The worst flooding in 70 years in Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire forced thousands of people from their homes today after the heaviest rainfall in a decade.

Residents waded through waist-high water on washed out roads, some paddling to swamped homes in canoes, and meteorologists predicted more rain tomorrow in all three New England states, which have declared states of emergency.

"I've never seen flooding like this before," said Faustino Melo, 40, a resident in the hard-hit Massachusetts city of Peabody, a suburb north of Boston whose downtown streets were submerged with floodwaters that rose as high as door handles.

Emergency crews steered boats along streets to help evacuate people, while National Guard soldiers set up checkpoints to block off roads. About 200,000 sand bags were used to hold back overflowing rivers across Massachusetts.

About 30 to 38 cm of rain has fallen since Friday, swelling the Merrimack River that runs through southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts more than 2.4 metres above flood stage -- its highest since 1936.

volcanic gases, poisonous ??!!!

Eruption Columns and Clouds

An explosive eruption blasts solid and molten rock fragments (tephra) and volcanic gases into the air with tremendous force. The largest rock fragments (bombs) usually fall back to the ground within 2 miles of the vent. Small fragments (less than about 0.1 inch across) of volcanic glass, minerals, and rock (ash) rise high into the air, forming a huge, billowing eruption column.

Eruption columns can grow rapidly and reach more than 12 miles above a volcano in less than 30 minutes, forming an eruption cloud. The volcanic ash in the cloud can pose a serious hazard to aviation. During the past 15 years, about 80 commercial jets have been damaged by inadvertently flying into ash clouds, and several have nearly crashed because of engine failure. Large eruption clouds can extend hundreds of miles downwind, resulting in ash fall over enormous areas; the wind carries the smallest ash particles the farthest. Ash from the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington, fell over an area of 22,000 square miles in the Western United States. Heavy ash fall can collapse buildings, and even minor ash fall can damage crops, electronics, and machinery.

Volcanic Gases

Volcanoes emit gases during eruptions. Even when a volcano is not erupting, cracks in the ground allow gases to reach the surface through small openings called fumaroles. More than ninety percent of all gas emitted by volcanoes is water vapor (steam), most of which is heated ground water (underground water from rain fall and streams). Other common volcanic gases are carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, and fluorine. Sulfur dioxide gas can react with water droplets in the atmosphere to create acid rain, which causes corrosion and harms vegetation. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and can be trapped in low areas in concentrations that are deadly to people and animals. Fluorine, which in high concentrations is toxic, can be adsorbed onto volcanic ash particles that later fall to the ground. The fluorine on the particles can poison livestock grazing on ash-coated grass and also contaminate domestic water supplies.

Cataclysmic eruptions, such as the June 15, 1991, eruption of Mount Pinatubo (Philippines), inject huge amounts of sulfur dioxide gas into the stratosphere, where it combines with water to form an aerosol (mist) of sulfuric acid. By reflecting solar radiation, such aerosols can lower the Earth's average surface temperature for extended periods of time by several degrees Fahrenheit (°F). These sulfuric acid aerosols also contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer by altering chlorine and nitrogen compounds in the upper atmosphere.

volcano eruption !??

Indonesian Volcano Eruption

Okay, so Mount Merapi volcano hasn't erupted quite yet, not severely, but it is sprewing ash and debris, and boy is it pretty looking! I'm a sucker for fiery things... the people living in the areas surrounding it have been ordered to evacuate. There has been steady lava flow from the giant, which scientists have been carefully observing.

So many people could die if they don't heed the warnings to get out of the area, it's really very sad and almost frightening. Fortunately I live near no volcanos... so there are no worries for me. Scary thing is, the beast has been inactive for years. Just like normal though it has come back to life with the volcanic tremors to go along with it. Fun stuff, ain't it?

It last erupted twelve years ago killing only sixty people, unlike the over 1000 when it erupted in 1930. I'm glad I don't live there... Mount Merapi is also one of the volcanos in the Ring of Fire, and is one of almost one hundred thirty active volcanos in Indonesia alone. Over a hundred volcanos. Scaryness... I'm glad there are ways we can prevent as many fatalities. Science is definately a big help... :) Yay for volcanologists! I used to want to be one...

cheap petrol...a future problem for health if abused

12.05.06 1.00pm

CARACAS, Venezuela - Taxi driver Jaime Tinoco works the streets of Caracas in a 1976 Chevy Nova that guzzles 72 litres of gas a day. But he doesn't worry about fuel efficiency - filling his tank costs just US$2.30 (NZ$3.65).

While US consumers struggle with soaring energy prices, Venezuela's gas is now the world's cheapest at 12 cents a gallon (3.7 litres) and Washington's regional foe, President Hugo Chavez, vows to maintain subsidies that keep fuel dirt-cheap.

"Those gringos have everything - so why does their gas cost so much?" asked Tinoco between chuckles as he navigated a midday traffic jam. "Don't they have oil reserves?"

Chavez, a self-proclaimed socialist and critic of President Bush, has even begun subsidising fuel for poor US neighbourhoods.

In Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter, drivers fill their tanks for less than the price of a cheap breakfast, and love to point out that petrol costs less than mineral water.

The nation's petrol is now the world's cheapest, according to an International Monetary Fund report released in April that shows Venezuelan gas prices as about a third of those in oil-producing giant Saudi Arabia.

Shiny SUVs and rusty 1970s-era sedans share the streets of Venezuelan cities as drivers shrug off fuel costs.

Low-priced fuel is considered a birthright in Venezuela, which sells 1.2 million barrels per day of oil to the United States - the world's biggest gas-guzzler.

"Petrol should stay cheap the way it is, that's why we have oil in Venezuela," said Maria Rosa Pinero, 55, a housewife, filling up a Volkswagen Golf at a gas station in eastern Caracas.

Chavez has extended Venezuela's fuel subsidy to poor Americans through a well-publicised jab at the US government that offers 40 per cent discounts on heating oil distributed by Venezuelan-owned refiner Citgo.

Kiwi conquers Everest on artificial legs

New Zealand climber Mark Inglis last night stood at the highest point on the planet as he became the first double amputee to conquer Mt Everest.

His wife, Anne, confirmed her husband's achievement as she spoke to him briefly after he stood atop the 8850m mountain.

"He's incredible," Mrs Inglis said. "He's dreamed of this all his life, probably. He's over the moon.

"They didn't expect to be this early, they thought maybe mid to late May, so Mark will be stoked. I imagine they'll be having a few whiskies."

Inglis conquered Everest on two carbon-fibre artificial legs especially adapted for climbing.

modern home

电脑技术走向网络化，进一步带动了智能家用电器的发展，最显而易见的是电器和电脑网络挂钩，人们可以利用电脑或智能手机遥控家中的电器，比方指示录像机录制节目、通过电眼察看家中情况、预先开启空调等。

　　很多电器大厂像飞利浦、三星、LG、松下、东芝、日立等纷纷结盟，采用标准规格，将所生产的种种电器，尤其是视听器材整合起来。家用机器人是个新商机，它可以帮你吸尘扫地，看顾家中老小和防盗，遇有不寻常迹象，它可以马上发出电子信息或把影像传给主人。

world peace ?

伊朗已经提出，一旦面对强硬制裁就退出“核不扩散条约”，以此作为威胁。俄罗斯和中国则都担心，即便是有针对性的小规模制裁也可能升级，最终让美国 找到使用武力的借口，而这正是它们想避免的。中国想保住伊朗的石油来源，俄罗斯想保住一个有价值的商业市场。不过两国都明白，如果问题不能在联合国（两国 都是举足轻重的安理会常任理事国）内解决，那么可能会严重危害到联合国的未来。

　　今天，外交整体方案主要是包括各种惩罚，虽然这都是有针对性的小规模制裁。这些惩罚的主要作用是心理上的，通过人们的普遍支持，使伊朗觉得自己被孤立起来。伊朗同朝鲜不同的是，它可能会比较在意自己的国际声誉。

　 　如果美国愿意加强积极鼓励，外交整体方案的吸引力可能会提高。美国可以通过一个可资信赖的中间人提出，如果伊朗同意放弃在国内发展铀浓缩技术，并接受俄 罗斯的提议（可以采取国际联盟的形式，由国际原子能机构管辖，允许伊朗参加），美国愿意考虑提供安全保障和取消现有的制裁。这便意味着，克制强行改变伊朗 政体的冲动，毕竟这种做法在布什的第一任任期内，曾使美国的外交政策受挫。

　　外交手段能增进经济和文化联系，有利于发挥软实力，在较长的时期内则逐步实现政体的变革。同时，与当前的事态发展趋势相比，这个办法将能避免巨额的军事开支，也给予充足的时间来寻求更温和的结果。

·Joseph S. Nye是克林顿总统时期的美国国防部长助理，现任哈佛大学教授，为《软实力，世界政治中的成功之道》一书的作者。

数十字短文感动尤今

“12年前，我离开自己的家，两手空空，还怀着孩子。您打开大门，张开双臂，迎接我与肚里的外孙，并与我共尝生活的酸甜苦辣。您的伟大恩情，笔墨难以形容。只能衷心祝福您：母亲节快乐，永远幸福安康。”

　　陈燕宝（48岁）以这篇数十个字的短文《妈妈的伟大恩情》打动评审——本地著名女作家尤今的心，获选为“真诚对妈妈说”短文征文比赛首奖。

Cooks beware. If you use non-stick pots and pans

Cooks beware. If you use non-stick pots and pans improperly, you could catch "Teflon flu" - or wipe out your pet budgie.

Non-stick coatings made of Teflon employ a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which can become toxic at high temperatures.

luck ! got a really high quality laptop in Singapore

 

I always admire and respect teacher Jian

 

teacher Jian helped to take this photograph

 

relax in peace

 

of course also best woshes from Taiwan

 

graduation..good will to Taiwan too

 

graduation day...ah..I forgot to take ice cream..melted

 

graduation day...finally..can sit down

 

graduation..lots of flowers, just colourful

 

graduation, flowers. more, more flowers

 

nutrition..not nut

 

Thank you Chou ma, thanks for the food and nut...

 

who got he most bouquet and support ?

 

strong support from the back...graduation day

 

I borrowed richard's graduation...

 

Richard's classmate and mum

 

Richard and classmate

 

richard, Monica, and Paul's parents

 

graduation day 27 april 2006

 

thank you auntie, Richard's graduation

 

warming had caused malaria to spread

WHO report in 2000 found that warming had caused malaria to spread from three districts in western Kenya to 13 and led to epidemics of the disease in Rwanda and Tanzania. In Sweden, cases of tick-borne encephalitis have risen in direct correlation to warmer winters. Asian tiger mosquitoes, the type that carry dengue fever, have been reported recently as far north as the Netherlands.

Culex pipiens is a favored carrier of a disease first identified in a feverish woman in the West Nile district of Uganda in 1937.

The disease was found again in Israel in the 1950s and in Romania in 1996. Each outbreak followed an unusual dry, hot spell, typical of adverse weather becoming more frequent as a result of climate change, researchers at the University of Haifa in Israel concluded.

In 1999, the virus landed in New York, probably at LaGuardia Airport. Disease sleuths speculate it was lurking in a mosquito stowaway or in the bloodstream of someone already infected. That summer also brought unusually hot, arid weather to New York.

Before the year had ended, 62 people had been infected and seven had died. The next two years were more temperate, but the disease exploded across the United States and into Canada when another hot, dry summer hit in 2002.

Susan Harrison, then 45, prepared a Labor Day barbecue that year with her husband and two daughters on the deck of their Toronto home. She was bitten by a mosquito, but shrugged it off.

In a few days, she felt a shooting pain in her legs. Within two weeks, she could not get out of bed. She was put on a respirator and spent three months in intensive care. She now uses a wheelchair, her legs and right arm paralyzed by West Nile virus.

As seas warm, other breeders thrive. Cholera, a waterborne disease, emerged in South America in 1991 for the first time in the 20th century. Abetted by poverty and poor public health, the disease swept from Peru across the continent and into Mexico, killing more than 10,000 people.

Diseases also are expanding in a surprisingly complex dance with their environment, taking advantage of the swings from deluge to drought made more frequent by global warming

Climate change tied to spread of diseases

Positive results seen in bird flu vaccine trial

Researchers tested various formulations of the vaccine with and without an adjuvant, an additive that can increase effectiveness. They found two 30 microgram doses with an adjuvant induced the highest antibody response after 42 days

Civil Defence hit with tidal wave of criticism

The shakeup follows criticisms about the lack of information from Civil Defence after an international tsunami warning yesterday morning.

The alert was issued at 3.42am by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii after an earthquake in Tonga that measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.

The warning said it was large enough to cause a destructive tsunami. It then listed times that the wave would hit parts of New Zealand if it eventuated, the first impact being at Gisborne at 6.21am.

Within half an hour of the warning, international media were running the story. That prompted calls from expat New Zealanders all over the world.

Hundreds of residents fled their homes after receiving calls from loved ones. Many were dressed in their pyjamas and had no idea what was going on.

Local councils and emergency service workers were unable to provide much information as they had not been given any official word of the tsunami warning from Civil Defence.

Mr Barker said international media misreported the situation after it had been downscaled and caused unnecessary alarm.

******* prevention is always better than cure....information and knowledge is power. We can have many ways to eimprove communication in this modern era.

扁:吴淑珍身心煎熬 几度说生不如死

扁:吴淑珍身心煎熬 几度说生不如死


台湾总统陈水扁昨天在哥斯达黎加对于第一家庭不断遭受指控并指向第一夫人吴淑珍的言论作出回应。阿扁说，吴淑珍好几次告诉他，感到生不如死，但为了孩子还是很坚忍地活下来。对于外界的诸多指控，他说是“扭曲与污蔑”。

　　陈水扁强调，吴淑珍绝对没有收受SOGO礼券，也愿意接受最严格的检验，若有任何不法，愿意接受调查和制裁。

　　陈水扁昨天与记者茶叙时，心痛陈述夫人身体遭到的折磨，他说，吴淑珍上厕所非常痛苦，一般人无法想像，在官邸就像是关在高级监狱，他太太好几次告诉他“生不如死”。

卸任后做妻护士

　　他说，吴淑珍不可能再站起来，但他希望能在不再担任总统后，能天天做她的“特别护士”，推她的轮椅，陪伴她，走接下来的人生。人生到底还能有多久，他也不知道，因为上帝也没有告诉他。

note: very seldom, you find, public statement of personal affairs ( very 'special' )

伊朗总统称伊有能力自卫 重申有权发展核项目

核不扩散条约是全球制止核武扩散努力的基础。伊朗称，它进行铀浓缩活动只是为了发展核能，但是这一活动也可以用于制造核武，西方国家因此要求伊朗暂停铀浓缩活动。 　　这是内贾德总统在致信布什总统后首次发表讲话。美国国务卿赖斯称，内贾德的信中没有提出任何新的建议。伊朗称，它正在等待布什的回信。布什没有排除对伊朗动武的可能性

mum, first front right

Dad toured with us in 2004 ( special sunny,warm, winter as forecast by computer). dad took this photograph. Special record on the graduation day. Thank you mum 

Richard, 21 years ago, with happy papa

also remember the great love and care provided by mum for Richard 

remember the last photo? yes, young william

 

william and violin supervisor, and mentor

sport and music in harmony, yes, complimentary 

29th April 2006 Happy Birthday William

20 years old. look like twins .my friend's comment. pa always try to be there with any important clebration...reason...Pa like good food..haha